SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2118

BYRepresentatives Dorn, Brumsickle, G. Fisher and K. Wilson 

Expanding coverage from grade six to grade eight of certification for candidates for grades preschool through grade six certificates.

House Committe on Education

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 23, 1989; March 30, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Lee, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Bender, Benitz, Fleming, Gaspard, Metcalf, Murray, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Susan Finkel (786-7483)

                  April 3, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MARCH 30, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In 1987, the Legislature required that the State Board of Education adopt rules providing that all individuals qualifying for an initial-level teaching certificate after August 31, 1992, possess a baccalaureate degree in the arts, sciences and/or humanities and have fulfilled the teacher certification requirements. 

Candidates for certification for grades preschool through six may have an undergraduate major in early childhood education, elementary or special education with an additional minimum of 30 quarter hours or 20 semester hours in one academic field to satisfy the teaching requirements.

Middle schools, common in this state since the 1980s, are considered the intermediary between elementary schools and high schools.  For purposes of teacher preparation, however, middle schools are more similar to elementary than high schools.

There is concern that the teaching certification for preschool through sixth grade will make it difficult to provide appropriately trained teachers in the middle schools (which go up to eighth grade).

SUMMARY:

Teachers from preschool to eighth grade may satisfy certification requirements with an undergraduate major of education with an additional 30 quarter hours or 20 semester hours in one academic field.

The State Board of Education is required to review its provisions relating to certification of teachers in the middle level grades and develop new requirements by May 31, 1990.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: PRO:  Representative Randy Dorn, prime sponsor; Walter Ball, Association of Washington School Administrators; Alan Burke, Principal, Orting Middle School